Sheet feeder



Oct. 9, 1928. E. w. BELLUCHE .SHE-ET FEEDER Original Fi led March 12, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 I swuembo'c 24151? WfiELLl/C'HE'.

Oct; 9, 1928.

- E. W. BELLUCHE SHEET FEEDER Originl Filed March 12, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet I5 avwwnboz 'IIIIIIII lllIlllIIlIlIIIIIll/l/ Och-9, 1928.

E. w. BELLUCHE SHEET FEEDER 9 Sheets-Shet 4 Original Filed March 12, 1925 I avwentoz. lI'LME/P WE'LL ucws.

.Oct. 9, 1928.

E. w. BELLUCI- IE SHEET FEEDER Original Filed March 12, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Q MW m I MN 1 w m law i fin @A 5 H....L M g N m kw u fin A .3 A... 3 QM Rh. kn :n \R :n kw 1 o g Rum Q s o ouo o 0 o .5. i a. .Q wkfl g anvenlioz 2 MEI? W544 (/C'HE.

Oct. 9, 1 928.

E. w. BELLUCHE SHEET FEEDER Original Filed March 12, 1925 9 sheets-sheet e snoemtoz 5mm ham-u mifiu om Oct. 9, 1928.

- E. w. BELLUCHE SHEET FEEDER 4 Original Filed March 12, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 avwwtoz 20151? WELLUCHE.

E. W. BELLUCHE SHEET FEEDER Oct. 9, 1928. 1,686,595

Original Filed March 12, 1925 9 sheets sheet 8 awuzutoz I LZMER WJELLucu/E.

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Oct. 9, 1928.

, E. w. BELLUCHE SHEET FEEDER Original Filed March 12, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Get. 9, 1 928.

UNITED cs'rArEs PATENT OFFICE;

ELMERW. "BnLLUcnE, or RAGINE, Wiscons n, insslonon, BY'MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DEXTER roLnnn'ooMrAn'Y, or new YORK, v. Y.,' A CORPORATION onnnw YORK.

Original-application filed March ,12, 1925', Serial m: 14,991. Divided and this appl i cation filed 1927; semifno 162,703. v

HThis present application forpatent is a division of my United States-Letters Patent No. 1 618,632 dated February 22, 1927.

1 My invention relates tome-chines for separating and feeding successive sheets to' a printing-press or other like machine,- and I have embodied the novel features of my im- )rovements in a sheet feeder of the tv 3e 1 V g 1 known as continuous feeders in which a bank of feathered or fanned-out sheets of paper is gradually carried along the feed board to the separating and feeding devices where the leading ends of the sheets are then acted on by mechanisms for further separat-.

ing and advancing the individualsheets to a conveyor mechanism which carries such separated 'sheets, onei'byone, to the printing press or other machine. V f

The ob'ects of'm invention are amon other things, to embody in a sheet feeder of this class certain novel features in the feeding devices employed for separating'and forwarding the individual sheets from the fanned-out bank whereby the construction and operation are simplified and made more certain and effectlve. w

A further object of my invention is to, ems body in the feeder an improved form of oscillating suction separating-and feeding-off device which may be. arrangedin pairs across the feeder for successively separating and forwarding the successive sheets, the operae tion of which is controlled by a'cut-out ortrip,

finger located adjacent the conveyor mechanism which finger limits the eifectiveforward movement of the oscillating suction feeding device, coupled with an improved device to hold the cut-out finger lifted out of the path of the advancing sheet after such I finger has acted to stop the forward swing of the suctionffeeding device and also cutofi the suction therefrom to release the sheet.

A further object is to provide improved devices in conjunction with the mechanisms for intermittently forwarding [thebank of sheets along the feed-board so that iwhenthe suction iscut-ofl' from the suction feed-wheel for any reason, the bank feed mechanism is automatically locked by the continued movement of the ifeederso as to preventthe bank from being improperly advanced beneath. the

sinner FEEDER;

vidual sheets. v

A further object is to provide' associated devices connected withthe movable conveyor frames projecting forwardly over thefeed- "boards and with the operating clutch which controls the movements of thefeeder'so that such conveyor frames cannot be raised out of operatlve position until the clutch is released from engagement, and furthermore such disc engaged clutch cannot be brought into posi- Iannary 22,

tion for operative engagement to start the 1 feeder until the conveyor frames are lowered into their operative position along thefeedboard. V

My improved sheet-feeder also embodies other advantageous features of novelty and improvement in which the-various operating parts embodied therein are greatly simplifie'd inform, arrarigementzind interaction,

and are therefore more sensitive and effective in operation and otherwise better adapted for use, all of which will be hereinafter dethe appended claims. I The accompanying drawings show my improvements n their preferred embodiment in a continuous sheet-feeder; such improvescribed and then particularly pointed out in merits, however, are not to be restricted to any particulartype of'sheet-feed'er, asthesefeatures of inventionjmay be embodied and used 1n various formsfof feeders with similar vantages and results. I I

Of the ClIaWIII S F1 11s a d a 'ranm'iatic t? 7 D i v D sideelevationfofthe feeder showing its relation' to a printing-press and also some oft-he; improvements embodied lnthe feeder Fig. 2-is a side elevation view of part Of the conveyor nechanism and control devlces for the bank feed, theview looking from the I right of Fig. 3;.

. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig' 2 looking in the direction ofthea'rrow'sy 7 Fig .4 and 5 (combined) show the top plan :views of the sheet separating devices, conveyor. mechanisms'and associated parts;

-v i-Fig. dis a slde elevat on view looking from the'left of F g. 8 certa n parts being omitted;

Fig.7 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 7 of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the clutch and its connections with clutch control rod;

Fig. 9 is a detail sideelevation showing the clutch in engagement and the conveyor frames lowered; F ig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the clutch released and locked and the conveyor frames raised;

' Fig.11 is a vertical sectional view of the suction feed wheel and cut-out finger with bank feed. control mechanisms on the line -11-11 of Figure 3;

Fig. 12 is a frontelevation of the suction feed-wheel and cut-out finger on the line Fig.18 is a sectional view taken on the line 1313 of Fig. 12 showingthe adjustable cam to control the timing of locking the bankfeed mechanisms; V

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section taken on the line 14-14'of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail section taken on the line 1515 of Fig. 14; g I

Fig. 16 is a detail side elevation, partly in section, showing the suction feed-wheel and cut out as the wheel begins its forward movement; y

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 showing positions of the several parts at the end cut-otl from the feed-wheel;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail se'ctionalview 1 taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 3 showing the suction control valve; 7 Fig. 23 is a detail section on the line 2323 of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 24 is .adetail perspective view of the suction control valve elements.

Similar numerals refer .to similar throughout the several figures.

Referring more particularly to Figs.

parts 1 and 3, the cylinder 89 of a printing-press or other like machine has the front stops 4O arranged above the cylinder 39 in proximity to the for ward section 41 of the inclined feed-board,

which section 41 is secured to the brackets 42 affixed to the crossbar 43 journalled in side-. frames 44 (only one being shown in Fig. 1-).

hiearwardly adjacent to section. 41 is the feedboaid section 45 secured to the brackets 46- affixed to the cross-bar 47 which is also journalled to the side frames 44 as shown in Fig. 8.

To the rear of section 45 is the feed-board 48 the feed-board 48 is forwarded to the sepa-i.

rating devices hereinafter described by being placed on the tapesl5O passing over the top surface of the feed-board 48. The forward pulley 51 is mounted onthe cross shaft-'53 which carries the ratchet 54 to be operatively engaged by the pawl 55 pivoted to the rocklever 56 journalled to the shaft as shown in Figs. 1 and 20. The lever 56 is reciprocated by certain mechanisms hereinafter described to intermittently rotate the pulley ,51 and'ad-' Vance the tapes 50 as shown by the arrow in Fig.1 to forward the bank ofslieets to the separating devices as required.

The main head 57 of the feeder comprises through hollow blocks 64 fastened to the feed.

board 48 above the standards'l) and the cross-shaft journalled the blocks 64 car.- ries the gears 68 which mesh with the teeth to slide on the parallel runway the side frames 58and 59 (Fig. 3) which arev held rigidly in vertical position by the tie-bar 60 affixed thereto and extending across the of the rack-bars63 as shown in Fig.1 The shaft 65 may be rotated in either direction by the crank-handle 67 to advance. or withdraw the main head 57 sliding oirthe plates 61 and 62 in the feed-board 48 l l vhen'thehead is to be retracted rear position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1', the gSl'lGGhCOIlVGjOI frames 68 pivoted on the tubular bearings 69 secured to the sideframes 58 and 59 (Fig. are first swungupwardly to the and heldin elevated" position byr'me chanisins hereinafter described. Such arrangement, it will be observed, enables the'forward sections 41 and 45 forming the movable feed-board resting on theside-fraines 44 to be separately lifted out of alinei'nent'with one another into their dotted line positions (Fig.1). Itwill'.

separately elevated to give a maximum space 1 alone be elevated so-as to allow the operator to use the section 41 in its full line position as a feed-board when feeding the sheets by hand to the press-cylinder 39'.

The mechanism for s parating and advancing the individual sheets'from the fanned-out bank comprises in the present embodiment the oscillatable suction feed-wheel 70 (Figs. 11 13) which acts to separate and forward the top sheets from the bank until the front or leadiiig'edge of the advancing sheet acts to move a cut-out or trip finger which inaugurates the action of devices to stop the forward oscillation of the feed-wheel ,70, combined. with devices to cut-off the suction from such feed-wheel at predetermined intervals in the cycle of operation to release the sheet to be thereafter seized by the sheet-grippers and conveyed to the front stops above the press.

cylinder 39. v

Referring more particularly to Figs 3, 0,

11-18, the feed-wheel TOhaving ZI SGI'lQS of perforations 71 formed m ts periphery is join-nailed with its hub '72 rotating on the bushing 73 mounted on the hub 741 or the gear 75. The hub 7-1 is ournalled on the stubshaft 76 affixed to the w ieel bracket 77 which is carried by too dependingbracket 78 secured to the tie-bar as shown in Fig. 3; The gear 7 5 is detachably secured to the wheel by the following devices best shown in Figs- 11, 16, 1'? and 18: The inner face of the gear car; ries the pivoted 'dog79 which is urged inwardly toward the hub 7 1 by the spring 80- bearing on the end of the dog and the annular collar 81 integral with the gear 75. The nose 82 of the dog 79 is adapted to engage remov ably with the notch 88 cut in'the outer surface of the feed-wheel hub 72,.F 16 showing .the dog '7 9 engaged withthe notch 83 on the forward stroke and held spring-pressed,

frictional cont-act, and F '17 showing thedog out of engagement, the gear 15 being free to rotate independently of the wheel 70.

- lriotion is imparted to the gearfl'oto par 'ially rotate same and so oscillate the feedwheel 70 in'cach eycleof the machine'by the following mechanism best shown inFigs. 3, t, 5, 6 and 7 The drive shaft 8 ournalled 1n the sleeve 85 in the bracket 86 secured to the side-frame 58 by the tie-shaftfi? is actuated pression spring 96 coiled about the rod 91 thereupon forces the roller 941- out of the notch 100 and on to the periphery of the clutch member 95.

pinned to the opposite end of the lever 92 between the collar 98 secured to the gear 89 and the collar 99' adjustably secured to the rod 97 by a set-screw normally maintains the roller 9-1 in the circular notch 100 out in the latter is driven by thegear 89; the main came shaft keyed to the'clutcliineinber thereby is revolved to operate the feeder. The

outer clutch member 101 is looselyournalled on the hub 102 of the clutch member 95 (Fig.

Projecting into the arcuate slot 103 of the member 101 is the screw pin 10 1 fastened Y Thepm .10 1- carries oneend of thepull coil spring 105 which'is to the clutch member 95.

fastened at the other endby pin .106to' the clutch men'iber'101. The clutch member 101 (Fig. 10) itis locked in the notclrlOi and so prevents the clutch member 101 from rotatrn Q 4. .I. '3 1118 continued l'OLZlLlOll ofthe gear 99 men'iber 95 which is thereby shifted relatively to the clutch member101 against the tension of the s" 'ring'105 in which the clutch members 95 nd" 1012 are disconnected with the earroller 94;- riding on the periphery of the clutch The. hand-controlled mechanisms for operating the rock-lever 109 to con meet and disconnect the clutch 1 members at will so as to starter-stop the sheet feeding andconveyor devices will be hereinafter described. V

Means are provided to oscillate the feedwheel 70' from the main cam-shaft 90 which periphery of'the clutch member 95 so that the is constantly rotated fronithe pow-ershaft v minedposition (Fig. Journalled on the stubshaft 87 is the sleeve 115 having integral therewith the rock-arm 110- carrying the pivotedroller117 which engages the cam 112'; also integral withthe sleeve 115 the rock-frame 118 carrying the pivoted roller 1'1 9whiclrengages the cam 1j13 as shown in Figsbfiand 7. heroliei's"117'and 119 are joined by the connecting .bar 120which is piimedto the pivots of these 011111-1'01191811? and 119. The'ar'ms Bland 122- of, the v frame 118 carry on their endsthezsegmenta'l iii rack 123-secured thereto by the screws 124 and 125 respectively. 123 mesh with the gear 126 fastened to the rock-tube 127 extending across the feeder and sleeved about the cam-shaft 96 and rotatably supported thereon by the bushing128 and tion-tube 132 (Figs. 4, 5 and 12). secured the two conveyor frames 68 on the sides of the feeder.

Suction is applied to the inner face of the rim of the feed-wheel 70 from the suction-tube 132 through the hollow arm .133 having the suction shoe 134 formed at its outer end, which shoe has the transverse slot 135 to register withthe perforations 71 of the feedwheel 70 as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. Adjust-ably secured to the arm 133 is the slotted bracket 136 carrying the upper slotte guide-plate 137 which is arranged at a suit able distance from the-lower slotted guide plate 133 to form a horizontally disposed guide passage for sheets of different thicknesses; the lower plate 138 is fastened to the cross-rod 139 by screws 140 as shown in Figs.

'11, 12, 16 and 17. The ends of the rod 139 are secured to the conveyor frames 68. The plates 137 and 138 are formed with elongated superposed slots 141 and 142 at their forward ends as shown. The front edges of the sheets forming the fannedout bank 152 are kept separated by a blast of air from a series of holes 143 out in the cross-pipe 144 carried by the conveyor frames 63 and connected. with any suitable a r pump notshown.

Means are provided to arrest the forward movement of. the oscillatingfeed-wheel 70 when the leading edge of the separated topsheet-has been advance'dbetween the guide plates 137 and 138 in proximity to the slots 141 and 142 as shown in 16 which mechanism may be widely varied in structure and operation." In the present embodiment best shown in its details in Figs. 1117, the rock shaft 145is arranged 11666 66111116 bracket 77 and the gear guard 130, one end of thesliaft l45"being journalled in the guard 130 as shownin Fig. v14; the opposite end of this shaft 145 has secured thereto'by the pin 1 16 the hub 147 which fits against the circular plate 148 integrally formed in the bracket 77; the plate 148 carries two diametrically oppo site concave-headed. plugs 149 and 150 and similar concave-headed plug 151 adjacent the plug 150. (shownin dotted lines in Fig. which are adapted to be engaged by two oppo The teeth of the raclr sitely disposed spring-pressed pins 153 and 154 carried by the hub 147 to adjust'the normal position of the shaft 145 as required in fixing the position of the cutout linger in the guide plates 137 and 138 to secure a variable 159 hearing against the under, surface of fin ger 153 to adjust same. 7 Keyedto the shaft 145 by the pin 160 is tlie sleeve 161 having the curved arm 162 bearing against the tip of the cap-screw 163 threaded in the lug164 of the bracket 156. The top of this bracket 156 has the ears 165 formed thereon which I carry the cross-pin 166to which is pivoted the forward end of the rod 167 the upper rear end of which passes slidingly through the:

hole 168 out in the cross-pin 169journalled in the sleeve 17 0 integral with the TOG-10211111171 pivoted to the pin 172 fastened to the bracket 7 7, shown in Fig. 12. The outer rear end of the rod 167 carries the adjusting collar 173, V

fastened to the hub 72.0f the feed-wheel 70 v as shown in Figs. 3 and 18, when the rock.- arm 171 is swung from its Fig. 16 to its Fig. 17position, this engagement causing an im-.

mediate cessatioirof the forward movement of the air-wheel 70 by forcing the pivoted dog 79 out of the notch 83 and so disconnect the gear 7 5 whenever the leading edge of the sheet actuates the finger 158. to the left out of the 5 guide plate slots 141 and 142. Fig. 16 shows the position of the cut-out finger 158, and its associated parts just asthe wheel 70 has started its-clockwise revolution withthe top sheet between the guide-plates 137and 138. Fig. 17 shows the "positionof the same parts at i the end of the cycle of'the feed-wheel 70after' the top sheet has been advanced to move the cut-out finger '158'outof its path and with the pawl 176 iiiengagement with the ratchet-177 to arrest the forward-revolution of the feed.- wheel70. V The cut-out linger 153 is heldout of engagement with the advancing-sheet and afterwards reset while the pawl 176 is also disengaged from the ratchet 177 during the reverse rotation of the gear 75 by thefollowing de} vices best shown in Figs. 11-14 and"1618:

iii

7 7 sheets and also tov shut off the suction from the Integral with the sleeve 161 is the straight arm 178 to which is secured the rock-plate 179 by the screw 180. The plate 179 rocks with the shaft 145 and comprises the upperarm 181 and the lower arm 182. Fastened to the 7 inner-side of the gear 7 are the spaced-apart pins 183 and'184 carrying the rollers 185 and 186. respectively which rollers are adapted to engage respectively the arms 182 and 183 of the rock-plate 179 as shown in Figs. 16 and 17 asthe gear/7 5 is normally'oscillated bythe tube 127. When the roller 186 engages the arm 182 the finger 158 is raised with the spring 17 5 compressed and forcing the pawl 176 into engagement with the ratchet 177 as shown in Fig-17. WVhen the gear 751318- versely rotated in an anti-clockwise directhe normal oscillations of the wheel-gear ;7 the reverse rotat1on -aga1n lounging-the plV- oted spring dog 79 into locking engagement The sheets trom the fanned-out bank 152 adhere to the exterior surface of. the feedwheel through the'perforations 1, opposite the suction shoe-134 as shown in'Fig. 11,'and f are separated and advanced by the. forward movement ot'the teed-wheel 70 betweenlthe guide plates 137 and 138 as shown iniFig. 16 in'position for theleading edges of the sheets to be seized by the sheet-conveyor grippers and carried to the press cylinder 39 by mechanisms hereinafter described.

The mechanism to applyisuction to the suction shoe 134 resting on the inner rim ofthe teedwheel 70 to pickup the successive top shoe 134 after the ten-ward movement of the wheel 70 has been arrested by the engagement of the pawl 17 6 with the ratchet 177 is best shown in the presentembodiments in Figs. 2,

3 and5: The side-frame 59has the port 187 formed therein which is connected by-t-he hose ,188 (Fig. 5) with any suitable air-exhausting device not shown. The port 187 is connected by the passage 190 to the, cross port 191 formed in, the side frame 59 to be opened and closed alternately by the semicircular plate 192 fastened to the cam-shaft ,90 (Fig. The port 191 is connected to the hollow sleeve 193 slidably carried in the conveyor frame 68, which sleeve 193has the port 194' registering with the passage195 leading to the suctiontube 132 which isconnected to the hollow arm 133 and suction-shoe 134 when the frames-68 are in lowered position 'asshown in F1gsa10 and 12. The spring196 coiledabout the stem 197 of the sleeve 193 normallyforces the latter against the port 191 with the cap 198 limitingthe outward movement'of the'sleeve.

The passage 190 is connected by the passage 199 to the cross-pipe 200' ofthe hand-mechanism controlling the suction best shown in Figs. 2, 3, 22, 23 and 24: The pipe 200 is secured on (the inner side of the side-frame 59 by the nut 201 (Fig. 22) and has the diametrically-opposite slots 202 out therein to register with similarly-cut slots. 203 .forined in the hand knob-barrel 204 rotatably sleeved on the end of the pipe 200 as shown in Figs. 22

and 24. The cap-screw 20 5 threaded int-he outer end ofthe pipe 200 closes same to atmosphere and holds the barrel 204 snugly against the collar 206 adjustably secured to the pipe 200 bythe set-screw207 The collar 206 has the radial slot 208 cuttherein adapted to limit the rocking movement of the barrel 204 by engaging with the pin 209 attached to the lnner end of the barrel 204; the outer face of the collar .206- has two holes210 and .211 adapted to be engagedby the spring-pin 212 slidably secured in the; inner end of the barrel 204 as showngin Fig. 24. J The barrel 204 also has aflixed thereto the arm 213 which actuates certain devices connected. with the bank-teed control hereinafter to be described. When the barrel 204 is rocked by hand so that the arm 213 is in its vertical on position (Fig. 23) the slots 202 and203 are in register so as to break the suction by equalizing to atmosphere, while these slots 202 and203 are outof register when'the barrel 204 is rocked} 'to the on position: shown by dotted lines in Fig. 23 to again make the suction by cutting off the" pipe 200 from atmosphere, the;

spring-pin 212 releasably holding the barrel in either position through its engagement with the holes 210 and 21L By such means the operator can manually control the suction on the Wheel 70 duringthe operation of the feeder. i

.The revolutions, ofthe valve-plate 192 p successively intermit the suction applicable to the suction shoe134 in suitable timed relation with the oscillations of, the feed-wheel 70 ineach cycle, and the relative position of suclrplate 192 onthe cam-shaft 90 may be :varied by any suitable means to change the timin of such intermitting ofthe suction to the-wheel 70 .to pick up thejsheets; fAir under pressure is applied to theairblastpipe 144 bymeans or the hose 214 conr I nected with the usual air-pump (not shown); Improved devices are provided in COD]U11C- tion with the mechanisms for advancing the bank of sheets, 152 along the feed-board48 so ,that'when'the suction is cu t oii trom'the 7 suction feed wheel foran y reason the bank feed mechanism is automatically locked by the continuedfmoveiment of thejfeeder so as to prevent the sheets comprising the bank 152 from being improperly advanced beneath the EQdi' Q LWh Q t e .l t f i l i not separating and advancing the top sheets between the guide-plates 137 and 138' as hereinbefore described.

. The bank 152 is advanced by the tapes to be racked hack free from the bank-feed control mechanisms now to be described. Thelink 223 is pinned to the lower arm 225 of the rock-lever 226, journalled on the pipe 200 (Fig. 22) the upper-arm 227 of the lever 226 carries the cam roller 228 which is adapted to ride on the cam 229 fast to the main cam-shaft 90 (Figs. 2, 3 and 20). The

spring 230'fastened to the feed-board 48 and the rock-lever 56 normally maintains the lever 56 against the lug 224 and also holds the cam-roller 228 on thecam 229.

Referring to Figs. 3, 11, 13, 1921, the rock-cam 230 is sleeved on the hub 72 of the feed-wheel 70 and is adj ustably secured there to by set-screws 231 passing through arcuate slots 232 formed in the cam 230 (Fig. 13) by whichthe position of the cam 230 'may be varicd. Such cam 230 rotates with the wheel 70 and controls the timing of the devices for locking and unlocking the bank-,feeo-actuat ing mechanisms. The cam 230tengages the cam-roller 233 pinned to the lower end of the rock-lever 234 pivoted tothe cross-pin 235' mounted in the bracket (Fig.13). The roller 233 rides on the cam 230 by gravity 7 exerted by the weight of the pivoted roclc Integral with the lever lever 234 (Fig. 19). p i 234 is the projection 236 which engages the roller 237 pinned to the arm 238 adjustably mounted on therock-sleeve 239 enclosing the tie-tube 240 extending across the feeder. Secured to the rock-sleeve 239 is the arm .241

carrying the cross-pin 242 projecting outwardly- (Fig. '19) and adapted to ride against the inclined face 243 ores link 244 pivoted to the depending arm 213 carried by the sucformed in the. link 247 tion-control barrel valve 204 heretofore described (Figs. 22-24). The link 244 carries the stud 245 slidably engaged in theslot (Fig. 2) iwhich is pinned to the end of the dog 248 (Fig. 19) journalled on the tie-tube 240; The link 223 carries the locking lug 249 which fn'iay: be adjustably secured to the link 223 by the screws 250 (Fig. 19),'the' lug 249-engaging with the tip of the dog 248'wh'en' lowered (Fig. 21). Normally the roller'233 rests on the low part of the cam 230 so as to position the dog 248thereby preventing the bank from feeding. V

When the parts'are in the position shown in Fig. 20," the bank feed'mechanism is free tooperate ineach cycle, through the recipro cations of the link-223 as actuated by the cam which the pin 242 will not engage theilink 229. 'The cam 230 is so positioned on the suction wheel that when this wheel starts its forward stroke to separate and advance the top sheet, the roller 233 bears on the low" part of the cam 230 and the dog 248 is in its lowered position to engage the lug 249-. the sheet strikes thewcut-outfinger 158 before the high part of the cam 230 'engagesthe roller 233, the wheel 70 and'cam 230 stop vices the bank feed is governed 'by the length of time or distance required forthe feed--.

Wheel 70 to advance the sheet to move the cutout finger 158. d Y W hen the suction is cut-off from the feedwheel 70 by-turningthe hand-knob barrel valve 204fclockwise, the link 244 is likewise movedtothe left to its Fig.21 position by 244 and raise same. Hence, when the -'suc tl'on sshut off while the feeder 1s inopera-v t1on-,the pin 242w1ll not engage the link 244,

though such pin is liftedin each cycle. The dog 248 is lowered by means of the slotted link 247 to the rear of the. lug 249 when the roller 233 rides on the highpart-of the cam 230-which throws the arm 238 to the right as shown in'Fig. 21. By these devices the bank-feed is automatically locked against op eration with the cam-rollero228' held out of the low part of thecam 229 by the continued movement ofthe feeder whenever the operator actuates the hand-knob valve 204to cut ofi the suction from the wheel 7 O. A reverse movement of the valve 204 by which the suc- '20 position with-the bank-feed free to operate in the normal operationof the feeder as has been hereinbefore described. I

1 The operation of my sheet-feeder is sub-' P stanti-ally as follows: When the bank of fannedeout sheets 152 is lying on the feed :board 48with the top margins resting on the hinged plate 386 and guide plate "138, the suctio n applied to thesuct-ion shoe 134 through the perforations 71 of the feed-wheel 70 picks l up the top sheet, the air blasts from the pipe 144 tending toseparatethe front edges of.

the top sheets (Fig. 11). As the wheel70 f V is rotated 'ina forward clockwise direction by the oscillating gears 7-5 -and l29actuated' bythe rock-tube 127, thetop sheet issep'arated and advanced between the guid'eplates 137 and 138 as shown in'Fig. 16 until the leading edge contacts with the -cut-out or trip finger 158 which normally hangs verti-' cally with its" forked end in the slots 141- and tion shoWn'by the rollers-185 and 186 in Fig.

17 With the arm 182 swung to the left to hold the cut-out finger raised frointhe path of the sheet. As the gear 'is reversely rotated the dog '7 9 is brought back into engagement with the notch 83 to oscillate the wheel 70 in its backward idle stroke, which movement also lifts the pawl176 from the ratchet 177 and resets the cut-out finger in its Fig. 16 position through the engagement of the roller 185 With the arm 181 as has been heretofore described;

The foregoing constructions embodyftlie essential principles ofmy'invention'asa preferred embodiment in a continuous sheetfeeder, but various changes may be made in the structural details and "in the types of sheet-feeders in which such constructions are installed for example, a pile-feeder w thout departing from the scope of my improve However the foregoing is sufficient ments. to disclose the underlying principles andadvantages as particularly applied ,to asbeetfeeder of the continuousftype.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable feedni'ember, 'coact-ing rock-gears for oscillating saidmember in b'othdirections, and means controlled'by the'advanced sheet for disengaging said memberfrom said gears during 3 the forward movement of said member.-

2. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable feed member, coacting rock-gears for oscillating said member iii both directions, and nieanscontrolled-by the advanced sheet for disensaid member'from said gears during the forward movement of said member but allowing 'an' automatic engagement ,on the reverse movement.

3. In a sheet-feeder, an oscilla table feedmember, coacting, rock-gears for oscillating said member in both directions, and means controlled by-a trip actuated by the advanced sheetfor disengaging SaJCl member from SH-1d gears during the forward movement ofsaid member but allowing an automatic engagement on the reverse movement. v 4. Ina sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction feed-member, coacting rock-gearsfor oscil- 5 lating said ineniberiin both directions, means for intermittingvthe suction in .each cycle, and means controlled bytliea'dvanced sheet for disengaging said niemberfrom said gears during the forward movement of said member without shuttingoff' the suction therefrom. V 1

'5. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction feed-member, coacting roclngears for oscillating said member in both directions, means for intermitting the suction in predetermined succession in each cycle, and means controlled 7 by the advanced sheet for disengaging said member from said gears during the forward movement of said member without shutting off the suction therefrom. I,

6. In a sheet-feeder an oscillatable suction v I I 7 feed-member, coac'ting rock-gears for osc1llating said member in both directions, means for intermitting thesuction in predetermined succession ineach cycle, during the continued movement 'of the 'feeder, and meanscontrolled by the advanced sheetfor disengagingsaid member from said gears during the forward movement of said member without shutting off the suction therefrom;

'7.- In a sheet-feeder, an 'oscillatable' 'snc'} tion feed-member, enacting'roclr-gearsfor oscillating saidmember in both-directions, and

means for iutermitt-ing thesuction applied to said member independently of theoscillations of said feed-member. l 8.. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction feed-member, coacting rock-gears for oscillating said member in both directions, and means for intermittingthe suction applied to said member in each cycle independently of the oscillations of saidfeeel -member. V 9. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillat-able suction feed-member, coacting rock-gearsfor OSCII'." lating said member in both directions, and

means for intermittin g the suction applied to said member in predetermined succession in each cycle independently of the oscillations of said feed-member. l l I r l OqIn 'a sheetfeeder.' an oscillatable suction feedmember, coacting rock-gears for oscillating said member in both' directions,

means controlled bytheadvanced sheet for disengaging said member from said gears at any itiniefduringthe forward movement of said member, and means IOI'IJIHQIIIHIIIIIQ the suction applied'to said member independently of the oscillations of said feed-member.

11. In a sheet-feeder,v an oscillatable suction' feed member, coacting rock-gears for oscillating said member-in both-directions andv n12LQlilI16 OPeIfit6C1 means for intermit ting the suction applied to said member independently-ofthe oscillations ofsaid feedmemberl r 12. In a sheet fe'eder, anoscillatable feedmemberycoac-ting rock-gears for osc llating said member in both directions, a trip :con-

trolled by the'advanced sheet for disengagsaid member from said gears during their I7 forward movements, and means carried by said gears for raising the trip from the sheet 1 whenforwardly oscillated.

1-3. In a'sheet-feedeigfan 'os'cillatable' feed member, coacting rock gears for oscillating said member in both directions, a trip controlled by the advanced sheet for disengaging said member from said gears during their forward movements, and means carried by said gears for resetting the trip on the reverse movement of said gears. v

l l. In a sheet-teeder, an oscillatabie feedmember, coacting rock-gears for oscillating said member in both directions, a trip controlled by the advanced sheet for disengaging said member from said gears during their forward movements, and means carried by said gears for resetting the trip. on the reverse movement of said gears and automatically connecting said member with said gears.

15.111 21. sheet-feeder, an oscillatable feedmember, coacting rock-gears for oscillating said memberin both direct-ions, a trip -controlled by the advanced sheet for disengaging'said member :L'rom said g ars during their forward movements, means carried by said gears for raising said trip from the sheet on the forward stroke, and niieans for lowering the trip on the reverse movement oi said gears. v v

16. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable teed member, coacting roclegcars for oscillating said member in both directions, a trip con trolled by the advanced sheet for disengaging said member from saidgears during their forward movements,means carried by said gears for raising and holding said trip from the sheet on the forward stroke, and means for lowering the trip and reengaging said member with said gears on the reverse move ment of said gears.

17. in a sheet-feeder, movablesuction feeding devices, means for advancing a bank of sheets to said devices, means for cuttingbii suction from said devices, and means controlled by said suction cut-oii tor locking the b ank-advancing means.

18. In a sheet-feeder, movable suction teedvices,rand means for automatically locking the bank-advancing means throughtne continued movement or the feeder. v p

20. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable sucmined period tion feed-member,means for intermitting the suction applied to said member in each cycle, meansi or advancing a bank of sheets to said feed-member, means for cutting-0d suction from said member, and means controlled by said suction cutoff for lockingfthe bankadvancing means against movement.

21. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction" feed-member, means for intermitting the suction applied to said member in each cycle, means for advancing a bank of sheets'to said feed-member, means for cutting-off suction from said member, and means for thereafter automatically locking the bank-advancing means a ainst movement ooerable throtwh the continued movement of the feeder. 7

2:2. in a sheet-feeder, an oscillatable suction ife'edanember, means for intermitting the suction applied to said member in I each cycle, means'ior advancing a bani: of sheets to'said teed-member, manually operated means: for

cutting-oil suction from said member, and

means controlled by said manually-operated means for locking the bank-advancing means against movement. i V

23. In asheet-teeder, an oscillatableteedmember, means normall I held in inoperative position for advancing a bank of sheets to said member, and means controlled by the extent oi the forward oscillation of said mem ber tor inaugurating the action of said bankadvancing means.

24:. In a sheet-feeder, an oscillatableiieede member, means normally held .in inoperative position for advancing-shank of sheets to said member, and means controlled by the, extent of the 'i'orWardoscilla-tion of said member in each cycle for inaugurating the action of saidbanloadvancing means. j

in a sheet-feeder, an oscilla-tablefeedmember, means normally locked against operation for advancing abank of sheets to said iiembenand means for inaugurating the action of said banlnadvancing means Whenever the time of the torward'oscillation ofsaid member exceecs a predeterminedperiod.

En a sheet-teeder,an oscillatable feedmember, means normally oration toradvancing abank of sheets-to said member, and means for inaugurating the action of said bank-advancing means in each cycle Whenever the timeoi' the forward oscillation of said locked against 0p member. exceeds a predeter- I ELMER W. nnnnnonn- 

